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Mashramani 2008

For some Mashramani is the celebration after hard work, for others it’s the coming together of the six races to celebrate as one people, and still for others it’s a time of reflecting, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

Mashramani is an Amerindian word which means ‘celebration after hard work’. This year it took on a different meaning, Mashramani meant coming together and carrying on in euphoria despite the recent tragedies affecting Guyana and its people. These tragedies threatened the success of this year’s activity but Guyanese pressed on and came together to make this years celebration as enjoyable as past years.
Though not as big as previous years and lacking the participation of some big bands, the revellers took to the streets, gyrating to both local and international soca songs, in their creative and colourful costumes they showed the true spirit of Guyanese, a kind people, a hospitable people, a people that would stand together no matter what. The bands were few but the hype and excitement that came with the revellers spoke volumes.

The bands and revellers weren’t the only ones contributing to the Mash spirit, the spectators both young and old, from all backgrounds and ethnicities added to the festivities. Either dressed in their traditional colours, carrying their flags high, picnicking with family and friends, or simply gyrating to the music, Guyanese were out in their numbers and enjoying every minute of it.
Mashramani is considered one of the most colourful festivals on the Guyanese calendar, this year proved no different. The Church, Digicel’s ‘Odyssey’, Concept Entertainment’s ‘Nature’s Way’, the Ministries of Health, Education, Culture Youth and Sport, among other organizations all helped in creating colour and excitement and celebrating togetherness.
The beauty of Guyana was highlighted by many of these bands through the festive costumes wore by revellers, the ease in which they came together and celebrated despite the hiccups in the country; this signals the strength evident in all Guyanese and the hope that things will return to normalcy. GT&T did not participate but remained patriotic by sponsoring a section of the Body of Christ’s Band. Other local businesses and organizations pitched in and assisted in one way or the other in making Mash 2008 the success it was.
Guyanese did not fail to showcase the beauty of their country and their personality as a people, despite the mayhem in the country; they celebrated together as a people and as a country willing to move forward.

The event was pure Guyanese, according to Adrian Dutchin “100% Guyanese from my head straight down to my toes”. Adrian Dutchin and many of our Guyanese artistes, as they prefer to be called, were out and about with the bands and revelers. Shelly G, Vanilla, Jumo, Malo and others were there to support and to add to the festivities. The artistes were not only present but their songs were played throughout the mash procession.

The celebrations ended earlier this year than past years, owning to the situation in the country many persons were afraid to stay out of their homes too late and added to that Guyana was playing in the semi- final position in the Stanford 20/20 competition so persons were eager to go home early. Cricket a Guyanese thing!
Not the youngsters though, the usual after mash lime which is usually from Texaco Service Station to Popeye’s on Vlissengen Road was in full swing. Persons were still in the mash spirit gyrating and carrying on to the music being played. For Guyanese a party is a party regardless of the negativities surrounding certain issues. The number of persons out was not as much as previous years but persons were out nonetheless. Those who weren’t chatting with friends or ‘wining’ to the music being played were glowed to the portable television in a car in front of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) showing the 20/20 match between Guyana and Jamaica.

The night wasn’t done there. The club going ‘passe’ was having a ball in either Blue Iguana who had Caribbean artistes Denise Belfon and Peter Ram or the Tunnel who simply had a soca party. Guyanese needed an avenue to collect themselves and reconnect with society and Mash did this for them. It allowed them to have a good time without thinking about the situation in the country; to go out with family and friends and to enjoy our culture as one people.

Mashramani was not only a celebration after hard work but it was a celebration of unity and togetherness for the Guyanese people in a time when they needed it most. The day set aside to honour our Republic and our culture was well received and supported. And it was indeed 100% a Guyanese thing.
By – Schemel Patrick

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Concept Entertainment

Concept Entertainment is indeed providing an alternative this Mashramani. The promotional team boasts of their intention to offer Guyanese people diverse ways of experiencing entertainment opportunities.

Their first venture, Nature’s Way is a mash band designed to celebrate the natural beauty of Guyana backed by noteworthy names in the Caribbean design fraternity; Sonia Noel; celebrated Guyanese fashion designer, Betty West, outstanding Barbadian fashion and costume designer and Richard Young, renowned regional fashion consultant and production designer. The team is off to a great start.

The management team headed by Ghalee Khan, Denise Thompson and Capucine Phillips, with creative consultancy from Clive Prowell proves to be a formidable force for this year’s Mashramani.

The is comprised of seven sections; three exclusively female and four where both male and female can mash exuberantly come February 23RD. Intent on maintaining the challenge “The Alternative”, the band is causing individuals for the section “Spirits of Nature”. All persons wishing to experience this evolution for Mash Day can visit the office at the corner of Camp and Middle Streets or call 664-8580 to register. All it cost is your enthusiasm and Spiritedness, creativity and willingness to celebrate Guyanese beauty.

Costumes Description

Jungle Water

Depicts the verdant forest inter-spliced by the many waterways of the Kaieteur Falls.

Mashramani Sunset

Reminds us of the spectacular view of the sun setting on the Demerara.

Prized Possession

Pays homage to the preciousgold found in one’s journey to the interior up Essequibo.

Rainbow Wings

Is a testament to the plethora of birds which nest in the forest of the Rupununi.

Tribal Crawl

Its a tribute to the feline specie exalting the superior cat, the Jaguar.

Reptile Fantasy

Represents the mystery and fascination with the expansive fauna exemplified in the snake.

Freedom Flight

Bespeaks the complete beauty and consummate freedom of the butterfly which abound among the flora. And whose survival is carefree and simply natural.

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Guyana vs. Grenada

It started out on a cool calm Sunday afternoon in the capital city Georgetown. The place to be was Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda for the opportunity to see Guyana’s Golden Jaguars as they continued their bid for World Cup 2010. The game was against Grenada’s best footballers. There was an air of excitement in the stands as the fans braced themselves to see their team compete, for many this was their first opportunity to see the team in action.

The game saw Guyanese of all races, ages, and class coming together to root for their team of choice. I am almost positive the Grenadian team had supporters in attendance. The stands were filled with persons prepared to watch an eventful and entertaining contest between the two teams. The level of support that the players received was encouraging showing that the fans are behind the team and are willing to show their support by coming out and watching them perform.

The game was spirited and exciting. There were times that I couldn’t see the action in my half since the spectators would all stand up in expectation of a goal. The Grenadians were the first to strike when they penetrated the Jaguars’ defense and were able to convert that opportunity to put them up 1-0 after about 20 minutes of play. The Guyanese were however not to be outdone. Their opportunity came by way of a cross from a right striker into the box of the opposition splitting the defense and causing the center striker to attempt a shot. The shot was initially blocked by the keeper and was deflected to the left striker who was on target for the equalizer. This goal had an electrifying effect of the crowd and lifted spirits all around the ground. It was also an incentive for fans to stay and was a hot topic as the goal came two minutes before the end of the first half.

The second half was not short on excitement because each team sought the opportunity to take the lead and secure the win. In an effort to achieve this goal the game took a more physically aggressive tone. As a result of this the referee was forced to produce a few yellow cards to players from both teams in an effort to calm the tensions on the field of play. This did little to ease the nervous atmosphere that was in the stands. This tension came to an end when a striker from the Grenadian side took advantage of an error on the part of the defense on the Guyana half of the field and was able to penetrate unchallenged into the penalty box. The striker made no mistake in putting his team on top by beating the unassisted goalie. This was much to the dismay to the players but more so the fans who debated how the striker could have made it that far into the penalty area unchallenged. The goal undoubtedly motivated the Guyanese players to seek an equalizer. Several attempts were made on the Grenadian goal but to no avail. As tension built up on and off the field it was seen clearly when a Grenadian player was given a second yellow card and was sent off. Many thought the Guyanese would have sought the opportunity to use their numbers against the Grenadian side who were now one player down to equalize and possibly win, but this was not accomplished.

The game was nevertheless an exciting contest showcasing the best of Guyanese football talent taking on the best of Grenada. The game was physically charged which saw the whistle being blown seven times for injuries and saw players from both teams being taken off the field on stretchers for medical attention. Regardless of the injuries, the game was entertaining and exciting. There were a few areas of concern in terms of the performance and strategy of the national team but I am sure those matters will be addressed by team management. Disregarding that the teams performance was to be commended and I am sure as they travel throughout the Caribbean in the coming weeks their performance will only get better and they will make us as Guyanese proud.

By Andrew Ross

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Golden Jaguars

Our Golden Jaguars were caught practising yesterday afternoon for the highly anticipated friendly match against Grenada. The showdown is set for GCC Bourda ground today at 15:00 hrs sharp.

It was a very intense session at the GNS ground on Carifesta Avenue as the team held their second meet for the day. The afternoon practice included warm-up drills followed by scrimmage restricted to two-touch. The team seemed quite ready and fearless of the future contenders on the road to the World Cup qualifiers. A high team morale was evident as the ‘A’ team (orange) played the ‘B’ team (white) during the session.

The Golden Jaguars technical staff includes Wayne Dover (Head Coach), Kavin Pearce (Assistant Coach), Lindley Longhorn (Physical Trainer and Medic) and Jamaal Shabazz (Technical Director). The physical trainer and medic proved quite capable when instructing the team during the warm-ups and the warm-downs. When asked about the team’s future plans, head coach Wayne Dover mentioned several international friendly matches are to be played prior to the World Cup 2010 qualifying matches scheduled for June in Suriname.

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Guinness Christmas Fest

Guyana came alive in anticipation of Beenie Man, the “Dr. Moses” himself, at the National park on December 29th, 2007. A massive crowed, coupled with hype characteristic of the “King” assured all of this: Guyana was about to enjoy classics like “Romie” and “Dancehall Queen,” and would rock to new hits like “Swing it Away.”

The Guinness- sponsored event has audio provided by the Lion Heart Sound System, which showcased some of the best DJ-ing of the hottest tracks of 2007. This set the stage for the local artistes who came on at 11 p.m. Fojo was first. He was followed by Adrian Dutchin and Jomo of X2, who delivered a very exciting performance for the ladies. Shelly G then made her appearance and performed hit songs “Touch Meh” and “Freaky Freaky.” The show also featured some new local talents; Silver Cat was the last of the local performers for the evening.

Fambo was next in line and performed a few of his hits, including “Drunken Dance.” It was then time for the King to take over. He made a spectacular entrance and proved his impeccable stage presence. He held the crowd in high anticipation as his band started up, and successfully held momentum throughout a truly sensational performance. His band must be acknowledged for its absolutely amazing accompaniment.

Due to the large gathering, transportation proved to be a hassle as it began to rain. This, however, did not quell the enjoyment of the evening’s proceedings. The night was basically a combination of pure hype, a great crowd and sheer enjoyment for all.

By Ayana Constance

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Feed a Child for the Holidays

Feed a Child for the Holidays is a private group dedicated to making a humanitarian effort to support the less fortunate children in orphanages in Guyana in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. Feed a Child for the Holidays endeavours to bring gifts and encouragement to children. It is a charitable initiative that will provide gifts, food items, basic necessities, and clothing for two (2) sets of orphans and vulnerable children in Guyana.

Recently, Feed a Child for the Holidays planned a Christmas party for the children of Youth Challenge Guyana’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s programme on the 15th December, 2007. Over 60 children were treated to a fun filled party; there was face painting, games and lots of food. At the end of the party each child was given a gift and a party bag.

The second activity will be on 22nd December and this would be for the children of the Convalescent home. Feed a Child for the Holidays will be taking gifts and a snack for the children. Also there will be face painting. We intend to spend the afternoon with the children at the Convalescent home.

Feed a Child for the Holidays would not be a success without the help of local businesses and public spirited citizens who all pitched in and contributed to the worthy cause.

by Natasha Backer

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What Really Counts

For as much of my Primary School and the early part of my High School life as I can remember, I was always quite competitive. The aim was always to be the best academically. There was enormous, but not necessarily blatant pressure on me, from teachers, parents and even myself to be first place at the end of every term. Whenever I did not deliver as was expected I was frantic. I remember bringing home a report card with a 63% grade for French while I was in high school. Before I could hand the report over to my mother I blacked out. Yes, it was that bad. I simply did not know how to handle that. My parents were always so proud when I did well, and I felt good as well, but when the grades were not that high, the smiles were not that bright.

There were times when, in the spirit of competition, I would refuse to assist someone who did not understand something or the other. If I helped them that put them at least on the same level with me, which increased their chances of being better than I was at that specific thing. We couldn’t have that now could we?

I think that too many times parents put way too much pressure on their children to be the best in school and otherwise. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious and wanting to achieve great things, but if one aspires to have such achievements only to gain the approval of others, or for the sake of being recognized one soon realizes the barrenness of such pursuits. Parents need to instill in their children an attitude of hard work regardless. They should not be working towards a goal simply because they want to please someone else, and it should be taught that once one’s heart is put into something, and one does his or her best, one will be successful, happy and feel a true sense of fulfillment. A child should not be afraid to come to his or her parents with a failed attempt at something. He or she should want to do well, but not at the cost of his or her sanity, self worth and sense of security.

Somewhere along the line, though, I lost that competitive drive. I became satisfied with just doing my best, even if I wasn’t the best. It was no longer important for me to be number one. What was important is that I knew that I put my all into what I did. I also decided that it makes no sense to acquire knowledge, about whatever, and do nothing with that knowledge but receive awards for doing well in tests. It makes no sense to live a life where you do nothing to help another person succeed. And besides, we learn better as we teach. It is when we attempt to teach someone that we learn whether we really do know what we claim to. Do I remember how I felt when I was”the best?” No, I do not. I would assume that I felt good, and proud. What I do remember is how satisfying it was to know that I helped someone understand some missing concept in one class or another. I remember just feeling good that I helped someone do that much better at an exam because I explained something just before the exam.

In this whole Christmas cleaning frenzy that seems to have gripped most if not all of us, I came across various awards, certificates and the like for my academic achievements. The majority of them I had completely forgotten about, and this really made me come to terms with a very important fact. Though it is great to be successful and be recognized for those successes, it is not what defines me. The successes are not who I am. In the future, I may still be remembered by some as a”bright” person. It would be more meaningful, however, to be remembered as someone who made a positive impact in at least one life.

When it all comes down to it, regardless of how many certificates, diplomas, and awards you have hung in your office if you do not use whatever gift you have to make the life of at least one person a little bit easier, you have led a meaningless life. It is important that my friends know that they can depend on me. It is important that I make children, especially those who have been emotionally or otherwise hurt, feel loved and valued. It is important that I use whatever talents God has blessed me with to identify my true purpose, and to fulfill that purpose. What do you want to be remembered for? What are you doing to ensure that this happens? What is really important to you?

-Bless

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Day 1 – Diamond Mineral Hockey Festival

Game 1- Guyana National Under-21 vs. Malvern (Trinidad & Tobago) (Males)

The first game of the tournament saw the youngsters facing off against an experienced Malvern. The experience factor worked against the U-21 within the first 5 minutes of the game when the Trinidadians scored their first goal. Following this initial penetration of the inexperienced defense there was a relentless attack by Malvern. Their constant attack yielded results at the end of the half the scoreboard read: 6 – 0 in favour of Malvern.

The first half proved to be a somewhat humiliating and demoralizing blow to the U-21, but they were not to be outdone. As the second half resumed there was a sense of renewed vigor and determination by the young side. Though frustrated they persisted in attempting to penetrate the defense of Malvern. They were rewarded with a goal after only 4 minutes following the resumption of the game. This however did not stop Malvern from continuing their barrage of their defense so as to secure their victory in the opening game in the tournament. What happened for the remainder of the game was much to the dissatisfaction and dismay of the U-21 players and their fans. The final score for the first game of the tournament was: Malvern 12- Guyana National Under-21 1.

Game 2- Malvern vs. Queens Park (Females)

This game saw two Trinidadian teams facing off. The first indication I got from these teams was they had relatively good knowledge of each other’s abilities and weaknesses. This was evident in the way the teams were able to hold off each other for most of the first half. This spell was broken by Malvern with a skillful goal that caught the goalkeeper off guard. This was followed closely by Queens Park to equalize before halftime.
The second half was more energetic and entertaining for the fans. This was mainly because the game took on a more physically aggressive pattern by the teams. Despite this, Malvern were able to secure two more goals to their advantage. A valiant attempt by the females of Queens Park was however rewarded by another goal to their credit before the final whistle. The final score was: Malvern 4- Queens Park 2.

Game 3- Everest Hikers vs. Old Fort (Males)

This proved to be the feature game of the evening. Not only was the playing on the court fast paced and skillful but the response from the fans and spectators was to its peak. The first team to strike was Everest in the opening minutes of the game. This led to a relentless attack on their goal by the Old Fort strikers. Their efforts were rewarded 9 minutes into the first half to equalize. The efforts by each team to keep the other at bay were successful until the last five minutes of the game when the Everest struck again to secure an advantage going into the end of the first half. However, Old Fort were not outdone, just before the first half ended they scored the equalizing goal on a penalty corner.

The excitement experienced during the first half was repeated and even multiplied in the second half. Hikers regain the lead with a spectacular goal by Mark King from the top of the Old Fort circle. Old Fort responded with two quick goals to take their first lead of the game and put the Hikers in a tough position to regain the advantage or at least to equalize. This wish was granted when Timothy Mcintosh used a short corner to secure the equalizing goal. The final score was: Everest Hikers 4- Old Fort 4.

The tournament continues until Sunday and should feature other teams such as; Everest female, Trinidad Defense Force, Queens Park Men and GCC male and female. This tournament promises to be an exciting and competitive one.
by Andrew Ross

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Things That Do Not Make Sense (Part 2)

There is a Broadband ad which features a young lady walking up or down, whichever, an alley in lingerie and a lab coat. Now that ad’s been on for quite a while and I still don’t understand what on God’s green earth she has to do with broadband. So Broadband is fast. By including her in the ad, dressed as she is, are they implying that she is “fast” as well? Believe me, I am not trying to be disrespectful, but the ad makes no sense. I know that “sex sells” but honestly!

‘Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop’ has an ad in which Linden Jones is having a meal with a young lady at the Original Dairy Bar. At some point he realizes that he doesn’t have enough money to pay for the meal and tries to leave to go get money to pay. He is stopped by one of the employees of the establishment and told that he cannot simply leave and come back without paying. After being reminded that he is wearing a big gold chain and several gold rings, and enlightened on the fact that ‘Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop’ is right up the road he is seen going to the pawn shop to get the necessary cash to pay for the meal. It seems just a little senseless to me that someone would forbid me from leaving to get money initially, but then because I claim I’m just going up the road to the pawn shop to get the money, I’m allowed to go. Rubbish!

If you’ve ever been to the National Cultural Centre then you’ve heard the rules and regulations read once the show is about to begin-about the use of cell phones, and taking photographs, etc. What I do not understand though, is why they include the dress code in that announcement. If I am sitting in the auditorium, listening to the message, isn’t it that I don’t need to be told what the dress code is? Isn’t it that I am dressed in accordance with the dress code and that if I am not dressed appropriately, but am hearing this message from the comfort of my seat, that the staff simply failed to do their job? I just think it’s a very unnecessary inclusion.

-Bless

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GuyExpo 2007

 Guyexpo 2007 was hailed as a success by all that not only took part but also by those who were afforded the opportunity to encounter the event for themselves. As you are aware each organizers of an event always promise to come bigger and better than the previous time. Well the organizers of Guyexpo 2007 surely outdid themselves as compared to their presentation in previous years. There was a general improvement of the presentation as well as exceptionally designed showcases which caught the attention of the patrons.

The hassle of buying tickets at the entrance of the event was taken into consideration by the organizers who instead of putting the ticket booths right at the entrance, placed the ticket booths on the streets leading into the exhibition site. This initiative worked as a deterring factor to the long lines usually created and the confusion that takes place as a result. The security checkpoints were well organized so that women and men were searched as they entered the site separately. The security personnel were also very courteous to a man in a wheelchair attempting to get into the event.

The first sight that greeted persons attending the exposition was a wildlife theme display with a macaw and a monkey hanging from two trees forming a canopy bearing the logo: “Guyexpo 2007 Partnering for Progress”. The designers chose a wildlife/jungle setting for the entrance into the event as well, creating a replica of Guyana’s rainforest with representations of its creatures in the tunnel leading to the main center of the event. There could be clearly seen replicas of caiman, monkeys, snakes as well as a jaguar. To add a nicer touch and a bit or authenticity to the display speakers were hidden among the trees playing sounds of nature, making one feel as if they were actually walking through the forest floor.

The way in which the booths were displayed is also to be complimented. There was almost full utilization of the site for booths. The way in which the exhibitors choose to decorate and display their booths was also very attractive and interesting. Most choose to integrate the rainforest theme into their displays, at least those located on the exterior of the buildings erected for booths. The larger organizations chose to spice up their displays to attract attention as well as to get a competitive edge. There were three exceptional displays that came to mind. First was Digicel who sought to add the car of speedster Mark Viera as a part of their display. This attracted customers to their booths in hundreds and it also proved to be a favorite spot to take photographs. Secondly was GT&T who utilized the skills of a sculptor to make an excellent replica of the Kaiteur Falls. This display was given a special spot in which photographers made very good use of the working replica fully equipped with running water. This breathtaking presentation was specially made by GT&T for Guyexpo 2007. Finally there was splashmins. They sought to make a scaled down version of the fun park. This was fully equipped with two power boats with models in bathing suits as well as jet skis in the specially dug out pond to represent the creek. This presentation was well received by those in attendance and attracted a lot of attention to the site.

The variety with which Guyexpo 2007 presented is also unparalleled to previous years. There were presentations form local producers, manufacturers and importers. There were representations of large, medium and small enterprise businesses. The event was not only attended by businesses but also by NGOs and non profit organizations such as the Red Cross. There were also provisions made for foreign countries to be represented by virtue of their business sectors. This is a movement away from an all Guyanese show and an opening up of the economy in keeping with the principles set out in the CSME as well as taking into consideration globalization and not restricting investment into the country. Not only was this good for the companies but it was a step in the right direction in terms of making Guyana a viable investment opportunity to the rest of the world. The variety of the displays made it almost impossible for one to see all the displays in one visit. If the displays were not enough to encourage you to keep going every opportunity you had, the car put up for grabs probably was your motivation. Guyexpo largest cooperate partner Clico Insurance Company Guyana; put a 3million dollar Toyota Carina up for grabs. To get a chance to win this car all one had to do was buy a ticket and write their contact info on the back and drop it into a rotisserie to stand a chance of winning.

The entertainment aspect of the event was well organized and catered for the tastes of almost every age group and musical preferences of everyone there. All one had to do is wait and their choice of music would have been presented. Guyanese artistes were given an opportunity to do their thing for the large crowds gathered. There were well organized and well choreographed dances, well tuned performances and excellent comedy. Not forgetting the excellent job done by the DJ’s on the turntables representing their respective sound systems expertly. The entertainment aspect of the show was so appreciated that GT&T even sponsored an entire evening segment. The blue power concert on Sunday evening was well received and provided a wide range of local artiste with an opportunity to perform for the local crowd. Their performances were well received and appreciated by those in attendance.

Guyexpo 2007 was such a success an extension was requested, but this was quickly refused by the minister of tourism. The reason this request was turned down was the fact that every year Guyexpo is usually held for 4 days then held over for a fifth night, this year however the event was held for 6 days taking previous years into consideration. The impact of this year’s exposition and the opportunities it afforded local and foreign investors cannot be fully seen at this point but from all indications Guyexpo 2007 was a monumentally successful representation of Guyanese culture and manufacturing potential, it also afforded Guyanese the opportunity to see what the world has to offer. Guyana was indeed put on show at this year’s event and I can hardly wait to see what is in store for next year.
by Andrew Ross